Smartphone apps to help you stay safe during Hurricane Florence

Many of us have smartphones, so why not use them to your advantage during the storm?

Below is a list of apps you might want to consider downloading.

South Carolina Emergency Management app

This app is new and will keep you up-to-date on important information throughout the storm and after it.

Find out your hurricane evacuation zone (Know Your Zone), find the latest information on South Carolina state office closings and delays. It also includes valuable information on planning and preparing for emergency and recovering afterwards as well as a damage assessment tool.

The federal emergency management agency has a free and helpful app that will allow you to received real-time alerts from the National Weather Service and includes a map to locate emergency shelters for you and your family if you end up needing one. It is offered in both English and Spanish.

This is a free app that people used in Texas after Hurricane Harvey. It turns your phone into a walkie talkie, which would still allow you to communicate with your friends and family in case of no service.